The NoMad’s L.A. Pop-Up Brings Holiday Cocktails to The Walker Inn

There’s no rest for the jolly elves behind The NoMad this holiday season. The team is busy working to open its Los Angeles property in January. But L.A. doesn’t even have to wait that long for a festive taste of NoMad cocktails.

On Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays through December 19, The NoMad is popping up at The Walker Inn in Koreatown. The NoMad Holiday Spectacular is exactly the kind of elaborate experience you’d expect from the team behind what was recently named the best bar in America. There are decorate-your-own gingerbread cookies, visits from Santa Claus and one of the largest advent calendars you’ve ever seen. And NoMad bar director Leo Robitschek and NoMad bar manager Dave Purcell have put together a menu with six Naughty and six Nice drinks.

Naughty selections include the Winter Wonderland, a riff on milk punch served in a transparent globe that lights up with holiday colors. Order the Nut King Cole if you want a rum cocktail with a mini nutcracker straddling the glass. This is also on the Naughty section, of course. Nice options include the Candy Cane Colada and the Pumpkin-Spiced Mai Tai that’s served in The NoMad’s version of a Starbucks cup.

Samantha Chong

Meanwhile, eggnog with bourbon, rum, cognac, scotch, egg, cream, nutmeg and cinnamon isn’t classified as either Naughty or Nice because this is obviously a drink for everyone.

NoMad chef Daniel Humm and partner Will Guidara clearly know that opening in downtown L.A. next month is a big deal. It’s their first project outside of New York, and they’ve given L.A. a year-long preview of their food with the next-level chicken burgers and hot dogs served out of The NoMad Truck. Now it’s time to celebrate the holidays and toast to the future, which will also soon include an outpost of The NoMad in Las Vegas, where there will be plenty of room for all kinds of naughty and nice.